SC Democrats say ballot rumors could mislead voters come November

Aug. 21—FLORENCE, S.C. — South Carolina has seen its fair share of distraction and miscommunication this election season, but state Democrats fear a pair of rumors could add to that confusion come Nov. 6.

Amanda Loveday, executive director with the SCDP, said last week the party had become aware of two rumors regarding straight ticket voting in the presidential race, as well as voting for petition candidates.

Loveday said some voters they've spoken with mistakenly believe voting straight ticketing will not include this year's presidential race. The rumor stems, Loveday said, from a North Carolina state law where straight ticket voting does not include the presidential contest.

Unlike it's neighbors to the north,South Carolina does not have such a law, according to the state's code of laws, and a straight ticket vote will include the presidential candidates of the voter's party of choice.

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Another rumor, Loveday said, is that if a voter casts a straight ticket vote, then goes into other races and votes for a petition candidate, their previous votes will be vacated.

This too is false.

Election officials have said voters can review their ballot before final submission, voting in additional races not covered by straight ticket voting — which will include many races where petition candidates are featured — or change votes to races straight ticketing already covered.

Loveday said the party is reminding voters to check their ballot closely before final submission on election day.

South Carolina Republican Party ChairmanChad Connelly said last week the state GOP is making similar reminders to voters it encounters.